Merry Christmas (kind of quirky)....Merry Monday #69

Where is the time going??  I've been at my folks' place already 11 days, yet it seems I just arrived!  Blame placed squarely on the shoulders of my busy schedule, and trust me, it has been busy! By day, I'm my parents' daughter, doing what I can (and, of course, what I'm 'told' - I'm quite obedient, even though the occasional Yeesh! or Seriously? does sneak out! Must guard the inside voice better!) to help Mom and Pa with some much needed de-cluttering, as well as ferrying them to and fro to wherever they need to go. We've made significant strides in deciding where accumulated stuff, would be better 'loved' - be that at a re-use center, or eco-center, or recycle depot.  While I realize that "letting go" is challenging, it's nice to see some 'empty space' opening up (please, please - may it remain that way).

Once later afternoon/early evening rolls around, I transform into Aunty C (my niece asked me if I was Aunty C or Aunty Carol; when I tried to explain I was both, you should have seen the look on her face. Boggled her mind.  We're sticking with Aunty C!!) Woo hooooo! Precious time; precious moments; precious niece and nephew!  They are so adorable, and occasionally mischievous, and yes, fully exhausting, but...they're little for only "this long" and I want to enjoy this stage (and every one to come) as much as possible!  Hmmm...wondering exactly how I'm supposed to look forward to going  home next weekend?  Okay, not going to think about that right now!

In betwixt and between my day-time-night-time duties, I've managed to find some card-making opportunities, which is great! On the other hand: my apologies to special blog friends who I've been neglecting!  Comments and notes - oh, but I'm woefully behind!  I promise to be in touch soon!!

"Nuff chattering!  Back when I was prepping the mobile crafting unit for its journey, I pared down my stash to what were 'essentials', and in the paring, left behind nearly all my Christmas-themed products.  "Won't be needing it," I reckoned.  Wrong. Big wrong!  The reason: my recent discovery of Merry Monday, hostessed by the incredibly talented, creative Lesley Croghan (she's a Canadian, too!!).  This week's sketch completely caught my attention...and I *had* to play.  Wait, make that HAD to play!!

As I mentioned, most of my Christmas stamps/dies/papers are at home. except for one stamp set - a newcomer - that was part of a recent Paper Smooches order, arriving just before we left, that I brought along.  Inside: Christmas Sentiments.  A positive start...but I needed images.  Then I remembered my PS Calico set, and one of the flowers caught my eye.  Wreath.  So, my card 'happened'. Be warned: my paper isn't 'traditional' paper, but I think it works.  *Joy* is a compilation of letters taken the 'be jolly' and 'to' stamps; Merry Christmas (another embossing venture)...obvious.

Hope you like it, and I really hope that Kim from PS doesn't mind that I transformed 

one of her flowers into a wreath...

NOTE: I'm also adding this to Crafty Hazel's Anything Goes Christmas Challenge for August. Soooo much inspiration for the festive season!!

Thanks so much for dropping by; please let me know you did! Your comments add sparkle to my day!